Page:The Way of a Virgin.djvu/197

Rh "Thou hast fired her imagination," she said. "She hath told me all about it, playing a thousand wanton tricks and calling me her dear husband. Thou hast seduced her, and I am very glad thou art going, for I believe she might lose her reason. Thou wilt see how she hath attired herself."

"Art sure of her discretion?"

"Perfectly, but I beg of thee to do naught in my presence. When I see the moment approaching, I will leave the room."

"Thou art an angel, beloved, but thou mightest be something better an thou wouldst—"

"I want naught for myself, because that may not be."

"Thou couldst——"

"Nay—I will have naught to do with a pastime which would re-kindle fires hardly yet quenched. I have spoken. I suffer; but let us say no more on the matter."

At this moment the young adept entered smiling, her eyes full of fire. She was attired in a short pelisse, open in front, and an embroidered muslin skirt which did not go beyond her knees. She looked like a sylph.

We were scarcely seated ere she reminded me of the place where my tale had stopped. I continued my recital, and when I was relating how Donna Lucrezia showed me Leonilda naked, M—— M—— went out, and the sly little puss asked me how I assured myself that my daughter was a virgin.

Taking hold of her through the wretched grating, against which she placed her pretty body, I showed her how I assured myself of the fact, and the little one found such pleasure in the game